Telecommunication system



' April 13, 1943. 5 HM... E' 2,316,238

TELECOMMUNIGATION SYSTEM Filed Dec. 20, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 Fig; I.

bwentars April '13, 19 3- L. B. HAIGH ETAL 2,316,238

TELECOMMUNICATION SYS TEM Filed Dec. 29, 1958 e Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.1

Invent-ans Apri 1943- B. HAIGH ETAL 2,316,238

TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM Filed Dec. 20, 1958 G Sheets-Sheet 3 Muentors43/94/611 7 v x. KOZMA Attorney Apri v 3, 3- 1.. B. HAIGH ETAL 2,316,233

TELECCMMUNICATION SYSTEM Filed Dec. 20, 193:; I 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Figfln.

/n ventors eff Attorney Ap 1943- L. B. HAIGH ETAL 2,316,238

' TELECOMMUNIQATION SYSTEM Filed Dec. 20, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 vB-4PM [/7 l/eptors April 13, 1943. BQHAIGH ETAL 2,316,238

TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM lI/[arneu Patented Apr. 13, 1943TELECOMIVIUNICATION SYSTEM Leslie Baines Haigh and Ladislas Kozma,Antwerp, Belgium,

assignors to International Standard Electric Corporation, New York,

Application December 20, 1938, Serial No. 246,796

In Belgium December 24, 1937 6 Claims. (01. 179-41) This inventionrelates to telecommunication e-xchange systems and more particularly tomeans for determining the charge to be made for a connection.

call. On Figs. 1 and 1A are shown only the connections numbered I to 5,which are mentioned in the following description. I

The connecting circuit contains two marker The object of the inventionis to enableJthe switches. The, first one, T, receives a series ofcomplete charge for a connection on a time and impulses from the tolltranslator circuit, which zone basis to be automatically calculated inmone whilst controlling th selection, determines the tary values. tarifito be applied tothe connection in known The invention will be clearlyunderstood from manner. This indication of the tariff is mainthefollowing description of one embodiment l0tained by '1 duringconversation. The other thereof shown in the accompanying drawings inmarker, M, registers the duration of the connecwhich: tion by advancingone step for each converse Figs. 1 and 1A when placed side by side showtional time unit, for example, one minute. the tariff and time recordingcircuit associated The charge fixing circuit is called for when the witha printing register arranged to print the callconnection is released.Once attached, it takes ing and called parties numbers, the charge forover the tariff indicationand determines from thecall, and possibly thebasic tariff, time of day, the position of the marker M of theconnecting date and any other required data relating to a circuit theduration of the conversation. By connection; means of these twoindications, a translatorfinder Figs. 2, 2A, 3 and 3A show thecalculating ciris placed in the corresponding position, in which cuitwhich is arranged to calculate the charge for is indicated the totalcharge to be paid by the a connection from the tariif and time recordsin subscriber. This charge is sent in the form of the recording circuit,Fig. l, and transmit the monetary figures to the p register, and chargeto the printing register where it is rewhen this has been done, both theconnecting and corded. charge fixing circuits release.

In reading the drawings, Fig. 1A should, be Both circuits underconsideration havebeen placed on the right of Fig. 1. Fig.2 should bebased on the present Belgian tarifl law, which is placed above Fig. 2A,Fig. 2A above Fig. 3 and as follows:

First 3 min. Second 3 minutes Following minutes Distance 4th min. 5thmin. .fith min.

in Km. i

Day Night Day Night Day Night Day Night Day Night 10-20 0. 80 0.80 0.80per-3min. Perseus. 20-30- 1.20 1.20 1.20 perBmin. Do. -40- 2.00 2.002.00 per3min. Do. -50 3.60 2.50 3.50 fr. perBmin. (day) Do. I

2.50 fr. per 3 min. (night) Fig. 3 above Fig. 3A. Figs. 2 and 2Ashould-be placed on the right of Fig. 1A. y,

The purpose of these two circuits is first to determine the charge for atelephone communication from two factors, which are the unit tariif andthe conversation time, and then to send this charge, in the form ofdigits representing the monetary value, to the printing register, inwhich a ticket already shows other particulars of the connection.

General operation The printing register connecting circuit ispermanently associated with a printing register,

which is partially shown at the left hand side of Circuit descriptionDuring selection, the digits of the called subscribers number are sentfrom the junction cir cuit over wire 1 to the digit printer (not shown)contained in printing register PR, and each time a. complete digit is.sent in, a printing indication is passed to the printing register Via,wire 2, which causes the recorded digit to be printed and DP to bereturned to normal. When selection is completed, the calling subscribersnumber and, it required, the fundamental tariff i. e. the charge pertime-unit of conversation, are printed in the normal way. The tariff isalso recorded via wire 5 on switch T which takes up one of eight tariffpo sitions.

The conversation time measurementmust have an accuracy of two seconds,and must be started. at the moment the called subscriber answers.

The answer of the subscriber is signalled by the operation of relay Sfrom the junction circuit over Wire 4. S connects. ground toa. contactTSC which may be called the two-seconds contact, which is a contact on acommon relay energised every two seconds from a clock contact. The two.-second impulses are reduced by a set of three relays A, B. and Cto-impulses of six seconds. The first earth pulse. via s2, 2 secondcontact, bl, cI, A operates relay A, which looks via right hand windingof B, ceI, s2. Relay B operates. 'The second pulse via. 2 secondcontacts, b-I left hand windings of B and C. C operates and locks viaits right hand winding, 02, winding of A, 03, al, 82. B- releases, itsright hand winding being short circuited. The third pulse via b l cI,short circuits A, which releases, and holds C via cI, c2. Earth is. nowconnectedvia a2, 04, until C releases at the end of the third pulse.

Since the identification of the calling subscriber takes place afterselection, the called subscriber will normally answer beforeidentification is completed. Therefore, the digit printer DP is notavailable for; counting, the first minute. Arrangements have thereforebeen made to count the first minute by the minute marker MM. The earthpulses via. 002,04 pass via M to magnet MM.

At; the. first step of MM, relay E operates via s4,

ma and locks via e3. When after one minute, MM reaches the tenthterminal, relay N operates via mc and locks via n2, e4. Via 03 back andn4 closed,.MM is drivento terminal I, at which relay 0 operates via n3,m0, and locks via n3, 03. At the next six-second impulse, MM makes onestep (MM; 05, a3, dpa) and. DP starts to advance by the G-secondimpulses, DPM, nI, 04, a!

The step taken by MM is to. register the, second minute now beingcounted by DP. The next nine pulses step DP only. On, arriving onvcontact I0 after one minute 54' seconds of conversation, DP'automatically homes; :DPM and its interrupter dpa.

The next pulse, the first of the third minute,

steps MM and DP as before. The third minute is their registered on MM'which steps to position 3. DP- counts each minute in turn and MM recordseach minute at its commencement. On reaching its last contacts, MM hasrecorded twenty-one minutes.

Atthe beginning of the. twenty-second minute, MM steps. to normal inwhich position T operates via: oI,.winding of S, s5, ma, and locks viat2, e4. A circuit is also completed for MM via its interrupter 1L4,041,..93', mo, and M steps to position [I to record the twenty-second.minute. The energize.- tion of T records that Mhas made a completerevolution.

Forty-two minutes is the maximum length of call allowed and whenMreaches its. last contacts a second time at. the. beginning. of theforty second minute, earth via 'mc, t3. energises R. At the For theeight different tariifs,

end of the minute earth via dpa, a3, 05, TI is connected to thebreakdown lead BDL.

When the subscriber hangs up, or breakdown occurs, relay S is released,and test potential is connected via 02, $6, e2 to the arc of theconnecting finders CF of the charge fixing circuits, Figs. 2, 2A, 3 and3A, and at the same time their starting relays Fs, St are energised.

If the subscriber releases during the first minute, N operates via sI,c4, and M is driven to position I, corresponding to one minuteconversation over MM and interrupter, 124 and 03. In position I, Ooperates and opens the drive of M.

It may be mentioned that the first six seconds conversation time is freeof charge, since E has not been energised, and if the subscriberreleases before this time. has elapsed, the connecting circuit releasesimmediately and no sum is printed on the ticket MM and interrupter e I,s5, ma. The charge fixing circuit is called for only if relay Er isalready operated.

The connecting finder CF of the charge fixing circuit is stopped by theoperation of the test relay'Ft; earth fa, one, do, ha, ga, Ft, cfg, lead9, Fig. 1A, e2, s6, 02, test potential. After successiul double test, Dtand Ch energise. in known manner. Relay Js energises via e013, 0115, m3,db and in turn operates Bd via ed2, ssZ, p'nl, cnfi, fa. The interrupterDI is now connected to relay Is. Relay Bd can only operate during theopening period of DI, and thus Is always receives full impulses. RelayBd locks Via edZ, bd3. The impulses of Is are sent simultaneously toswitch magnet MM, Fig. 1A via ml), Fig. 1A lead (1, cfd, Fig. 2A, isIand to I-IM of the charge fixing circuit via tiZ, tr3, 2s2. When switchMM, Fig. 1A arrives at its normal position, relay Ti operates via tr2,cn3, cfc, lead 0, Fig. 1A, ta. off normal, ma to earth. The impulses arenow sent to the magnets TM and GM, respectively. These impulses stopwhen TM reaches its normal position, at which moment Ti releases. Inthis way, switch H, Fig. 2 is set to a position which is complementaryto that of M, Figs. 1 and 1A and G, Fig. 2A is similarly set to that ofT, Fig. 1A.

When Ti operated, it energised Th, Via til, dtI. Th, locks in serieswith Tr when Ti releases after the setting of G. Tr causes the rotationof the 100-point translator finder TF. The are of TF is subdivided intosectors, each corresponding to onev tarifi unit. For the Belgian tariffscheme, 8 positions on TM, and therefore 8 sectors on TF, are required(0.80, 1.20, 2.00, 2.50, 3.50, 4.00, 5.00, 6.00 in). Five of thesetariffs are charged in three-minute units, and therefore TF must have 14positions for maximum 42 minutes conversation time. These 14 positionsare arranged in two levels of 7 positions each, whereby the changing-over from the first level to the second is effected by relay Sh,which operates if relay T in the connecting circuit has been energised,i. e. if the conversation time is more than 21 minutes; Sh, oya, lead a,Fig. 1A, tI Fig. 1. For the last three tariifs, one position is reservedfor each minute, which means 21 positions in two levels. therefore, 57+3 21, or 98 positions on TF are required.

Switch G records th tariff of which there are eight variants. Eightcontacts of Wiper are therefore respectively multiplied to groups ofseven and twenty-one contacts in the bank tfa according as the, tariffis to be charged on, a three-minute basis or a minute basis. Wiper tjais connected to wiper tjh, the individual contacts of the seven-contactgroups in bank tfb are.

contacts in bank hb of the time-recording switch H. In a similar way,the individual contacts of the twenty-one contact groups in bank tfb arecross-connected to individual contacts in bank he of the time-recordingswitch.

The magnet TFM of switch TF is energized via tt2 back, to4 operated. TFis stopped by the operation of Tt via gb, hb or hc according to the typeof tariff, tfb, tya, gc, earth. The set position of TF is thereforeindividual to the particular combination of tarifi and call durationrecorded on G and H. I

When relay Ti released and Tr'operated, Isstill continued to sendimpulses via isl, z'fd, lead d, Fig. 1, mb and tb both in normalposition to DPM. Contacts tr3 have disconnected contacts isZ frommagnets HM, GM. These impulses have to. reset DP to its normal position.When this' is reached, relay Pn operates via trl, cfb, lead b, Fig. 1A,dpa, Fig. 1. Contacts p113 release Js which releases Bd, and theimpulses stop; The marker DM leaves its normal position and stops onterminal L, DM, and its interrupter, pn3, db.

When the translator finder is set (Tt operated) and the digit printer isin normal (Pn operated), relay Ss operates via ttl,"pn2, and the sendingof the figures of the total charge" can b started. l 1

Earth via s35, ed3, energizes Js, which closes the operating circuit ofEd; battery :is2, Bd, ed2, ssZ, 11ml, 011.5, fa, earth. At thefirstopeningof the interrupter, Bd operates and Is starts to producedial impulses. These are sent simulta neously to the digit printer andto the control marker switch F.

As the maximum charge for 42 minutes conversation is 84.00 fr., fourfigures haveto be pro duced, of which the last is always 0. The firstfigure is replaced by a dash if the sum'to be paid is less than francs.In addition, the francs and centimes are separated by a dash, which isproduced in the third positionof DM, Thus five printing indications aresent to the printer in positions I, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

The contacts of bank fb are cross-connected according to the digits ofthe charge to bemade to the different contacts in banks tic-47h.

. Wipers and banks t rc tfdije determine three digital values for eachof ninety-eight difierent charges, and iii, tf t fh for each or anotherninety-eight charges.

When impulses corresponding to the first digit have been sent to DPMFig. 1 via isl, and from is2 via tr3 operated, ss4 operated, bdZoperated, relay Ed is energized via $3 I, fb, tfc or t1? according as Shis not or is operated, contact I and wiper db to earth. Ed releases Edand Js and Ed in turn disconnects DI from Is so that impulsing ceases.

Pn was of course released when DP, Fig. 1, stepped off-normal. Contactsedl operate DM. Earth via ed5, trZ, cn3, cfc, lead 0, Fig. 1A, ta,operates printer magnet PM to print the digit recorded by DP, andautomatically to home the digit recorder DP.

Switch F is horned; FM, bdZ. interrupter of FM, fa, earth. Ed isreleased at fb and switch DM steps to position 2.

If the charge was less than ten francs, Ed would have operatedimmediately Ss energized; Ed, ssl, fb in normal position, tfc or tfi,shl, db.

The printer would have received a printing impulse in normal positionand would have 41th i minals in accordance with the duration of theprinted a dash. Release of Ed allows Js' to reoperate via ed3, ss5, and13d then energises via edZ, ss2, pnl, cn6, fa. Impulsing recommences viaz'sl to DPM, Fig. 1, and via isZ, tr3, ssl, bd! to FM.

When F is set to the value of the units digit of the charge, Edreoperates via fb, tfd or tfg,

sh2, contact 2 and wiper db.

Again the digit set up on DP isprinted and DP is homed. In addition F ishorned as before and D is stepped to position 3. A dash is then printeddue to direct cross-connection between the normal contact of II) andcontact 3'0f db. D is stepped to position 4 and the third digit, thefirst decimal digit, is then set up on DP under control of Us or tfh andprinted.

The fourth digit is transmitted in thesame way but under control of thedirect marking connection between contact 0 of I?) and contact 5 of dbsince in this embodiment the second 1 decimal figure is always 0.

Switch D is now stepped to position 6, and earth via db, tM, cfe andlead e, Fig. 1A, short circuits relay E which releases, followed by T,Fig. 1A as well as by N, O, R, Fig. l, and by Ft, Dt, Cn, Tr, Th, Ss. Fhomes; FM, bdZ, interrupter, fa. D now homes; DM, interrupter, do, 0116,fa. H then homes; HM, interrupter, ha, da, fa; and lastly G homes; GM,interrupter, ga, ha, dd, fa, and all the circuits are back at normal.

What is claimed is:

1. Fee determining equipment for telecommunication exchange systemscomprising a number of :tarifi-recording terminals, switching meansresponsive to the establishment of a telecommunication connection formaking contact with one of said tariff-recording terminals in accordancewith the tariff schedule applicable to such telecommunicationconnection, a number of duration-recording terminals, switching meansresponsive to the continuance of an established telecommunicationconnection for making contact with one of said duration-recordingtertelecommunication connection, said fee determining equipmentcomprising a large number of groups of terminals each such group ofterminals representing a difierent combination of tariff schedule andcall duration, means for making contact with one of said groups ofterminals under the joint control of said tariff-recording andcall-duration contacts, means for indicating a series of separate digitsrepresenting the several digits of the total fee for a telecommunicationconnection and connections from one individual contact of said group ofcontacts for controlling the indication by said means of one of saiddigits and connections from another individual contact of said group ofcontacts for controlling the indication thereby of another of saiddigits.

2. Fee determining equipment as claimed in claim 1, including aswitching mechanism containing a plurality of rows of terminals andwiper brushes for simultaneously passing over said rows of terminals soas to at any time make contact with one terminal in each of said rows;and wherein one of said rows of terminals comprises saidtarifi-recording terminals, another of said rows of terminals comprisessaid durationrecording terminals, and a number of other rows ofterminals comprise said large number of groups of terminals, each suchgroup of terminals having one terminal in each row of said number ofrows.

3. Fee determining equipment according to claim 1, wherein said groupsof terminals include for a first tariff schedule a certain number ofgroups corresponding to call durations difiering by time steps of acertain fineness and for a second tariiT schedule a larger number ofgroups of terminals corresponding to call durations differing by timesteps of greater fineness, and wherein said duration-recording terminalsinclude a first set of duration-recording terminals containing a certainnumber of electrically separate terminals corresponding to calldurations differing by time steps of said certain fineness and a secondlarger set of duration recording terminals corresponding to calldurations differing by time steps of said greater fineness, wherebycalls made under said first and second tariff schedules are charged foron different time bases.

4, Fee determining equipment as claimed in claim 1, including aswitching mechanism containinga plurality of rows of terminals and Wiperbrushes for simultaneously passing over said rows of terminals so as toat any time make contact with one terminal in each of said rows; whereinone of said rows of terminals comprises said tariff-recording terminals,another of said rows of terminals comprises said duration-recordingterminals, and a number of other rows of terminals comprise said largenumber of groups of terminals, each such group of terminals having oneterminal in each row of said number of rows; and wherein said means formaking contact with one of said groups of terminals under the jointcontrol of said tariff-recording and call-duration contacts comprisesconnections for establishing a marking circuit through that one of saidduration-recording terminals and that one of said tariff-recordingterminals which are passed over by said Wiper brushes simultaneouslywith each other and with the terminals of said one of said groups.

5. In a telecommunication exchange system of the type comprising anumber of tariff recording terminals, switching means responsive to theestablishment of a telecommunication connection for making contact withone of said tariffrecording terminals in accordance with the tariffschedule applicable to such telecommunication connection, a number ofduration-recording terminals, switching means responsive to thecontinuance of an established telecommunication connection for makingcontact with one of said duration-recording terminals in accordance withthe duration of the telecommunication connection, a calculating devicecomprising a large number of groups of terminals each such group ofterminals representing a difierent combination of tariff schedule andcall duration, including means for making contact with one of saidgroups of terminals under the joint control of said tariIT-recording andcall-duration contacts, means for indicating a series of separate digitsrepresenting the several digits of the total fee for a telecommunicationconnection, and connections from one individual contact of said group ofcontacts for controlling the indication by said means of one of saiddigits and connections from another individual contact of said group ofcontacts for controlling the indication thereby of another of saiddigits.

6. A telecommunication exchange system com-' prising a number oftariff-recording terminals, switching means responsive to theestablishment of a telecommunication connection for making contact withone of said tariff-recording terminals in accordance with the tariffschedule applicable to such telecommunication connection, a number ofduration-recording terminals, switching means responsive to thecontinuance of an established telecommunication connection for makingcontact with one of said durationrecording terminals in accordance withthe duration of the telecommunication connection, characterized by theprovision of a calculating device comprising a large number of groups ofterminals each such group of terminals representing a difierentcombination of tarifi schedule and call duration, means for makingcontact with one of said groups of terminals under the joint control ofsaid tariff-recording and callduration contacts, means for indicating aseries of separate digits representing the several digits of the totalfee for a telecommunication connection, and. connections from oneindividual contact of said group of contacts for controlling theindication by said means of one of said digits and connections fromanother individual contact of said group of contacts for controlling theindication thereby of another of said digits.

LESLIE BAINES HAIGH. LADISLAS KOZMA.

